ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the waste system in its entirety, starting with the impacts on human health and the environment of improperly treated waste. It discusses the role of waste as a resource, not only in terms of material but also energy. The chapter explains the Avoid-Shift-Improve framework and how it relates to the waste sector and compares to other prevalent initiatives. The chapter introduces the life cycle approach as the key methodology and discusses some of the challenges with these techniques. The Yogyakarta case uses the life cycle approach to examine the role of community-based solid waste management in promoting recycling and waste reduction. The Suzhou case takes a detailed look at the management of an urban complex and the revenue generated from collecting waste from a political economy perspective, whilst the Surat case discusses the urban management issues around the improvement of the sewerage system following an outbreak of pneumonic plague.
